Anf-03 v.iv.iv.xxiv Pg 30
Gen. xxvii. 39.
For the dispensation of the Jews (who were in Esau, the prior of the sons in birth, but the later in affection3463 3463 Judæorum enim dispositio in Esau priorum natu et posteriorum affectu filiorum. This is the original of a difficult passage, in which Tertullian, who has taken Jacob as a type of the later, the Christian church, seems to make Esau the symbol of the former, the Jewish church, which, although prior in time, was later in allegiance to the full truth of God.
) at first was imbued with earthly blessings through the law, and afterwards brought round to heavenly ones through the gospel by faith. When Jacob sees in his dream the steps of a ladder set upon the earth, and reaching to heaven, with angels ascending and descending thereon, and the Lord standing above, we shall without hesitation venture to suppose,3464 3464 Temere, si forte, interpretabimur.
that by this ladder the Lord has in judgment appointed that the way to heaven is shown to men, whereby some may attain to it, and others fall therefrom. For why, as soon as he awoke out of his sleep, and shook through a dread of the spot, does he fall to an interpretation of his dream? He exclaims, “How terrible is this place!” And then adds, “This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven!”3465 3465
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, Chapter 27
VERSE (39) - Ge 36:6-8 Jos 24:4 Heb 11:20
